Dredging-machine.



PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903.

W. W. LEA. DRBDGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED our. 1, 1902.

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DREDGING MACHINE.

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UNITED STATES,

P TENT @FFICE.

XVILLIAM W. LEA, OF IRON RIVER, WISCONSIN.

DREDGlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 722,595, dated March 10, 1903. Application filed October 1, 1902. Serial No. 125.585. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. "LEA, a citizen of the United States, residing at Iron River, in the county of Bayfield and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dredging-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for the removal of mud, sand, and gravel from the bed of a stream or other water to deepen the channel.

The object of the invention is to simplify the mechanism employed and reduce the cost of operation, while increasing its efficiency.

Stated in a general way, my apparatus comprises a suitable scoop or scraper adapted to descend in the water when pulled forward and to operate in the bed to loosen and remove portions of the mud, sand, &c., and to rise toward the surface of the water and discharge its contents when pulled rearward, a cable or cables for reciprocating the scoop, and suitable mechanism for supporting and operating the same.

My improvements are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side View illustrating by full and broken lines the manner of operating the scoop to deepen the channel of a stream. Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the Way in which the scoop is retracted after its forward movement, and Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views of the scoop.

The mechanism for operating the scoop is shown diagrammatically Without any attempt to represent exact structural features or arrangemennbecanse specific means or the arrangement of the means employed for operating the scoop is not an essential feature of the invention. The mechanisms so illustrated are of well-known types, and the diagrams are intended to indicate only in a general way one of a number of arrangements of means for successfully operating the scoop pursuant to the plan of my invention.

For the practical operation of the scoop in the manner contemplated it is only essential that there be provided a cable or cables connected to the scoop and means for pulling the cable proper distan ces alternately in opposite directions across the place to be dredged to permit the scoop to perform its functions.

. As illustrated in the drawings, 1 designates a boat carrying the necessary machinery for suitably rotating a pair of drums 2 and 3 or equivalent means for winding the cables 4 and 5. The cable 4 is made to pass over a pulley or snatch-block 6, and the latter is supported at the desired point in any convenient way, as by means of a scow or other boat 7, anchored in the water, or a post or other object on shore.

S designates the scoop, which is connected to the cables 4 and 5 by short flexible coupling cables, chains, or like devices 8, attached, respectively, at opposite sides to front and rear portions of the scoop.

The scoop proper consists, preferably, of a base portion 9, a back portion 10, and sides 11, and the preferred shape is about that indicated in the drawings. Over the top of the rear portion of the sides there may be provided a cross-piece 12, of suitable width, for bracing and partially covering the members of the scoop.

To give the scoop the desired pitch in operation, it is provided with legs 13, attached to its sides and extending rearward and downward, and for regulating their inclinations they may be adjustably connectedin any suitable way-as, for instance, by connecting their upper ends by pivots 14 to the sides 11 and intermediate portions by bolts l5,entered in selected holes of a series of holes 16, provided in the sides.

One of the cable connections 8 is preferably attached to the lower portions of the legs 13 and the other connection 8 to the forward portions of the sides 11. \Vhen so connected, a pull upon the forward cable will cause the scoop to descend in the water in inclined forward direction, and a pull upon the rear cable will cause the scoop to ascend in inclined rearward direction.

To facilitate the rearward ascent of the scoop and to quicken the discharge of material contained in it, the back 10 may be supplied with openings closed by gates 17, hung to swing inward, so that as the scoop is advanced the water-pressure will hold the gates closed, and as itis retracted the pressure will open them.

In operation,the operating mechanism and the snatch-block having been stationed at desirable points with reference to the place to be dredged, the scoop is drawn by the cable toward the snatch-block, its construction being such as to cause it to move practically on the surface of the water when pulled rapidly rearward, and when it has reached the desired point the rear cable is slackened and the direction of movement of the cables is reversed, whereupon the pull upon the front of the scoop will cause it to descend in inclined forward direction until it has reached the bed 18 of the stream or body of water 19 and penetrated the mud,sand,or gravel. The tendency then of the continued forward pull of the cable is to raise the scoop from the bottom; but the rearward legs when set at a proper angle cou nteractsuch tendency and by dragging upon the bed cause the scoop to plow through itssurface materialthedesired distance. When the scoop has reached the desired point, its contents can be discharged by reversing the direction of movement of the cables, whereupon the scoop will tend to rise in rearward direction and the water-pressure will open the gates, causing a quick discharge of the material. When the scoop has been retracted to the starting-point or other desired point, the movement of the cables is again reversed and the operation of the device is repeated. It will be obvious that such scoop or scraper with similar operating means modified and arranged to suit varying conditions may be operated up or down or across stream or in harbors and elsewhere to remove bars, widen or deepen channels, and to construct dikes, levees, (he. The scoop may be operated rapidly, so thatin its plowing movementthrough the bed it will create a considerable suction, and thereby cause to be carried along by the trailing water much mud and loosened sand. This operation is indicated in an arbitrary way by the dotted area 20 in rear of the scoop in Figs. 1 and 2. The material discharged from the scoop is indicated by the dotted areas 21 in front of the scoop in the same views. If there be a current or tide movement of the water, it may be availed of in aiding the scoop in the removal of loosened mud and sand.

I do not wish to limit myself to the specific forms and arrangements of devices shown and described; but

What I claim is 1. In a dredging-machine, the combination with mechanism for alternately pulling a scoop in opposite approximately horizontal directions, of a scoop provided with means whereby, under such alternating stress, it

will be caused, by frictional contact with the water, to descend and ascend in inclined directions, substantially as set forth.

2. In a dredging-machine, the combination with mechanism for alternately pulling a scoop in opposite approximately horizontal directions, of a scoop provided with downwardly-inclined legs whereby, under such alternating stress,it will be caused, by frictional con tact with the water, to descend in inclined forward direction under forward stress and to ascend in inclined rearward direction under rearward stress, substantially as set forth.

3. In a dredging-machine, the combination with a cable and means for pulling it alternately in opposite directions across a waterbed, of a scoop having downwardly-inclined legs adapted to guide it in plowing the water-bed, and connections between one end of the cable and said legs and the other cable end and the front of the scoop, substantially as set forth.

4. In adredging-machine, the combination with a cable and means for pulling it alternately in opposite directions across a waterbed, of a scoop comprising a bottom, sides, a back, and adjustable downwardly-inclined legs, and means for connecting the legs and front of the scoop respectively to the cable ends, substantially as set forth.

5. A dredge-scoop, comprising an inclined bottom, sides, a back, and rearwardly inclined legs, and means for adjusting the inclination of the legs with respect to the scoopbottom, substantially as set forth.

6. In a dredging-machine, the combination with a cable and means for pulling it alternately in opposite directions across a waterbed, of a scoop comprising a bottom, sides, a back, and adjustable downwardly-inclined legs, and means for connecting the legs and front of the scoop respectively to the cable ends, the scoop-back being provided with an opening, and a door arranged to be operated by the water-pressure to close the opening as the scoop is advanced and to be swung by the water-pressure to free the opening as the scoop is retracted, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 22d day of September, 1902.

WILLIAM W. LEA.

- Witnesses:

R. A. STEoKsAUER, J. C. SMITH. 

